Article of houseware



April 23, 1963 G. MYERS ETAL ARTICLE OF HOUSEWARE Filed Dec. 20, 1961 INVENTOR-S' vZ/ d 20 er xy MM A'ITORNEY United States Patent 3,086,657 ARTICLE OF HOUSEWARE Gilford Myers, 175 Windmiil Road, Willow Grove, Pa., and Robert K. Youtie, 63 Birch-all Drive, Haddonfield,

Filed Dec. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 160,861 9 Claims. (Cl. 211-13) This invention relates generally to an article of houseware for temporarily storing or supporting clothing and the like.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an item of houseware which is capable of presenting a neat and highly attractive appearance when not in use, such as an ornament of wall decor, and which is quickly and conveniently convertible for utilization in the storing or supporting of articles of attire.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article of houseware of the type described which is adapted to be quickly and easily mounted on a wall, requires no lloorspace, and is admirably well suited to serve a variety of uses, such as that of a clothes valet, shelf, support for garment hangers, and others, in addition to providing an esthetically attractive wall-mounted picture or mirror.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a houseware article having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple in structure, durable and entirely reliable throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a bottom perspective view showing a device of the present invention in its operative condition of use;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the device of FIGURE 1 in an inoperative condition;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 1, but showing the instant device in an intermediate position of conversion between its operative and inoperative conditions, the device being shown in inoperative condition in phantom;

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a bot-tom perspective view showing a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention in its operative condition of use; and

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view showing the article of FIGURE 5 in an inoperative condition, and partly broken away for clarity of understanding.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-4 thereof, the article illus trated therein, generally designated 20, is intended primarily to serve as a valet for holding ones clothes after retiring, but also functions admirably as a shelf, emergency closet for guests coats, and the like.

The device 20 includes a generally upright fixture member 21 adapted to be secured fast to a supporting wall 22. As seen in FIGURE 1, a carrier member 23 is swingably connected to the fixture member 21, as by a pivot or pin 24. The pin 24 extends generally horizontally, substantially parallel to the wall 22, so as to mount the carrier member 23 for swinging movement about the pin axis between a generally horizontal, outstanding position of FIGURE 1, and a generally vertically depending position, as shown in dot-and-dash outline in FIGURE 3.

A cover member 25 may be mounted on the carrier member 23 for swinging movement therewith between the generally horizontal position of FIGURE 1, and the generally vertical phantom position of FIGURE 3. As illustrated, the carrier member 25 may consist of a framed picture, or may be of other desired construction, such as a mirror, plaque, or the like.

Mounting the cover member 25 on the carrier member 23 is a slide 26. In the illustrated embodiment the slide 26 is slidable along the upper or outer side of the carrier member 23, and carries on its upper or outer surface medly secured thereto the cover member 25.

As may be seen in FIGURE 4, the carrier member 23 may be provided with a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally oppositely outstanding ribs or rails 30, located along the upper edges of the carrier member. Similarly, on opposite sides of the fixture member 21, along the upper edges of the latter, there may be provided laterally outstanding ribs or rails 31, see FIGURE 3.

In the upwardly swung, generally horizontal or outstanding position of carrier member 23, the ribs thereof 30 are in end-to-end aligned relation with respective ribs 31.

The fixture member 21 and carrier member 23 may advantageously be of hollow construction. Further, the carrier member 23 may have its interior hollow 33 opening upward, for a purpose appearing presently.

The slide 26 may be of a generally downwardly facing, channel-like construction, as seen in the position of FIG- URE 4, including a generally horizontal web 35 extending across the upwardly opening hollow 33 of the carrier member, and longitudinal walls or side flanges 36 depending on opposite sides of the carrier member and turned inward beneath respective rails 39. That is, the inturned side walls 36 of slide member 35 interengage with the rails or ribs 30 to constrain the slide member to longitudinal sliding movement along the carrier member. When the *carrier member is in its upwardly swung, generally horizontal position, so that the rails 3t) are in alignment with respective rails 31, the slide member 35 may be slid rearward or inward for interengagement of the inturned slide walls 36 with the rails or ribs 31. In this condition, the inturned slide flanges 36 are engaged with both the ribs 36 and the ribs 31 to lock or hold the carrier member in its upper, outstanding position. The slide member thus serves as means for holding the carrier member extended. However, upon forward or longitudinally outward sliding of the slide member, out of engagement with the rails or ribs 31, the carrier member 23 is free to swing about the pivot 24, and the slide member then swings with the carrier member.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, the slide member 26 is provided on the underside of its web 35 with a stop lug or abutment 38 depending into the hollow 33 of the carrier member. This lug is engagea-ble with the forward or distal end of the carrier member, interiorly thereof, to limit outward sliding movement of the slide member and prevent outward withdrawal or removal of the slide from the carrier member. The stop lug 38 may be struck out of the web 35 in a hook shape, as shown, and serve to anchor one end of a resilient member or spring 39. The spring 39 may extend rearwardly or inwardly, within the carrier member 23 toward the inner end thereof and have its other end anchored to the carrier member, as by engagement through a pivot boss 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 39 is in tension, and serves to resiliently urge the slide member 26 inward. Of course, other suitable resilient biasing means may be employed, such as a compression spring suitably connected to the carrier member 23 and slide member 26' for urging the latter inward. In any event, it is desirable that the resilient means employed prevent removal of the slide 26 from the carrier member 23 by upward movement relative to the latter when the carrier member is in its depending position.

Carried on the underside of the cover member 25 may be a pair of depending members or posts 42 at spaced locations along the forward or outer edge of the cover member. Extending between the posts 42 may be a bar or rod 43 spaced beneath the cover member and projecting laterally outward beyond the posts, as at 44-. One or more additional depending posts 45 may be afiixed to the underside of cover member 25, and may carry crosspieces 46-, as seen in FIGURE 1. a

A garment hanger is generally designated 48, and may advantageously be of the combined pants-and-jacketholding type. The garment hanger 48 may depend beneath the carrier member 23 in the operative position of FIGURES 1 and 3, and may be pivotally connected, as by a connection member 49 to the carrier member. The particular illustrated pivotal connection 49 may be a yokelike member having its medial region fixed to the upper end or top of the hanger 43, and provided with laterally spaced, upstanding ears 50 on opposite sides of the carrier member 23. A pivot pin or pintle 51 may extend generally horizontally, substantially parallel to the pin 24-, through the ears 50 and intermediate region of carrier member 23, to mount the hanger for swinging movement relative to the carrier member. 7 In the operation condition of FIGURES 1 and 3, the hanger 48 depends generally vertically, and is constrained against rearward swinging movement by abutting engagement of the connection member 49 with the underside of the carrier member. However, upon downward swinging movement of the carrier member, the hanger 48 is free to swing relative to the carrier member and thereby maintain its substantially vertical disposition, as seen in phantom in FIGURE 3.

In mounting the device 29 on a supporting wall 22, it is preferred that the pivot pin 24 be removed, whereupon the fixture member 21 alone may be more readily secured to the wall, as by fasteners 52. The remainder of the device may then be arranged for insertion of the pin 24 through aligned openings in the fixture and carrier members 21 and 23, and the pin secured by any suitable means. The device is then ready for use.

As a valet or the like, the device in the condition of FIGURE 1 may be employed in the obvious manner. For example, the hanger 48 may be used for hanging pants and jacket, the cover member 25 providing a shelf for jewelry and other articles of personality, while the bar 43, extensions 44 and :crosspiece 46 are admirably well suited for supporting ties, belts, and other articles. When the various supported articles are removed, the device may be converted to its ornamental condition of FIG- URE l by merely moving the cover member 25 horizontally outward to the solid-line position of FIGURE 3. For this purpose, the bar 43 affords a convenient handgrip. When the slide member 26 has moved beyond the fixture member 21, out of engagement with the rails or ribs 31, the carrier member 23, slide member and cover member 25 may all be swung vertically downward. Of course, removal of the slide member 26 from the carrier member 23 is prevented by engagement of the stop lug 38 with the outer end of the carrier member. The bar 43 may then be released, and the spring 39 serves to draw the slide member 26 and cover member 25 vertically upward to eifectively conceal the fixture member 21. Of course, the carrier member 23, slide member 26, and garment support 43 are also concealed, so that only the outer face of the support member is exposed.

Return of the support member to its horizontal position from the phantom position of FIGURE 3 may be readily accomplished by merely drawing the cover member vertically downward against the force of spring 39, and swinging the cover member, carrier member assembly forward and upward. The cover member 25 may then be released and the force of spring 39 draws the cover member and slide 26 rearward, so that the slide effectively holds the assembly in its operative condition.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 5 and 6, there is shown a device, generally designated 20a which may include one or more fixture members 21a secured fast to a wall 22a and each having pivotally connected thereto a carrier member 23a. The carrier members 23a are each connected to their respective fixture member by a generally horizontal pivot pin 24a, which pins may be in substantial alignment with each other.

A cover member, generally designated 25a, may be carried by the carrier members 2311 for swinging movement therewith and sliding movement relative thereto. In particular, each carrier member 23a has mounted thereon a slidable holding member 26a, which latter members are secured fast to the cover member.

More particularly, the fixture members 21a may each be substantially identical to the fixture member 21 of the first-described embodiment, with the exception that one or more outstanding tongues or teeth are provided on the member 21a at vertically spaced locations therealong.

The carrier member 23a may be substantially identical to the carrier member 23, and the slide or holding member 26a may be substantially identical to the slide or holding member 26. Also, suitable resilient means 39a, corresponding to the spring 39 of the first-described embodiment, is connected to each slide 26a to resiliently urge the latter inward along its respective carrier member toward the inner or pivoted end thereof.

The cover member 25a may be a framed picture, mirror, plaque or other pannellike construction, similar to the cover member 25 of FIGURES 1-4. Depending from the underside of the cover member 25a, as seen in FIG- URE 5, and rigidly secured to the cover member are one or more interengaging members or teeth 61. As shown for purposes of illustration, the lugs or teeth 61 are each rigidly secured to the cover member 25a adjacent to a respective carrier member 23a and movable along the adjacent carrier member together with the cover member and adjacent slide 26a.

On the under or inner side of the cover member 25a, extending along its outer edge as seen in FIGURE 5, is an elongate, rigid support member or rod 43z z. The rod 43a may be fixedly secured to the underside of cover member 2501, as by arms or posts 42a, and may include telescopically received end extensions 44a for selective projection laterally beyond the cover member, when desired. Also, the support member or rod 43a may be serrated or undulated, as at 62, say for supporting garment-hanger hooks in spaced relation.

In operation, the device 20a is similar to the device 20, horizontal outward movement of the cover member 25a serving to draw the slidable holding members 26a out of their holding engagement with the fixture members 21a, to thereby release the carrier members 23a for downward swinging movement to the position shown in FIG- URE 6. Of course, reverse operation effects return of the cover member to its horizontal position.

In addition, the cover member 25a may be vertically adjusted in its closed, inoperative or vertical position of FIGURE 6, as by interengagement of the lugs 61 between a selected pair of vertically spaced teeth 60. Thus, within the limits of vertical movement of the slidable holding member 26a in the vertical position of FIGURE 6, the cover member may be selectively positioned at any desired height.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present inven-' tion provides an article of houseware which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of houseware comprising a fixture member for firm securement to a supporting wall, a carrier member connected to said fixture member for swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis, a cover member carried by said carrier member for swinging movement therewith between a generally vertical position totally concealing said fixture and carrier members and a generally horizontal position outstanding from said supporting wall, releasable holding means retaining said carrier member in position with said cover member generally horizontal and releasable for carrier-member movement to its position with said cover member generally vertical, support means inward of said cover member and operatively connected thereto for movement toward and away from the supporting wall upon cover movement to its respective vertical and horizontal positions, whereby said support means is adapted to be concealed by said cover member when the latter is in its vertical position and exposed for use when said cover member is generally horizontal, said holding means comprising a slide member slidable along said carrier member and movable into and out of engagement with said fixture member when said carrier member is in its position with said cover member generally horizontal, to releasably retain said cover member horizontal and limit means operatively connected between said slide member and carrier member for limiting upward slide-member movement when said carrier member is in its vertical position.

2. An article of houseware according to claim 1, said cover member being fixedly secured to said slide member for movement therewith.

3. An article of houseware according to claim 1, said support means comprising an elongate generally horizontal bar connected to said cover member for movement therewith.

4. An article of houseware according to claim 1, said support means comprising a garment hanger pivotally connected to said carrier member for swinging movement therewith and relative thereto.

5. An article of houseware comprising a fixture member for firm securement to a supporting wall, a canier member connected to said fixture member for swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis, a cover member carried by said carrier member for swinging movement therewith between a generally vertical position totally concealing said fixture and carrier members at a horizontal position outstanding from said supporting wall, a slide member slidable along said carrier member and movable into and out of engagement with said fixture member when said carrier member is in its position with said cover member generally horizontal to releasably retain said cover member horizontal, resilient means connected to said slide member yieldably urging the latter into engagement with said fixture member, and support means inward of said cover member and operatively connected thereto for movement toward and away from the supporting wall upon cover movement to its respective vertical and horizontal positions, whereby said support means is adapted to be concealed by said cover member when the latter is in its vertical position and exposed for use when said cover member is generally horizontal.

6. An article of houseware according to claim 1, said limit means comprising resilient extension and contraction means contractable to a limiting position for limiting upward slide-member movement when said carrier member is in its vertical position.

' 7. An article of houseware according to claim 1, said limit means comprising abutment elements engageable to limit upward slide-member movement when said carrier member is in its vertical position.

8. An article of houseware according to claim 7, said abutment elements being interengageable for limiting upward and downward slide-member movement when said carrier member is in its vertical position. 1

9. An article of houseware comprising a fixture member for firm securement to a supporting wall, a carrier member connected to said fixture member for swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis, a cover member carried by said carrier member for swinging movement therewith between a generally vertical position totally concealing said fixture and carrier members and a generally horizontal position outstanding from said supporting wall, releasable holding means retaining said carrier member in position with said cover member generally horizontal and releasable for carrier-member movement to its position with said cover member generally vertical, said holding means comprising a slide member slidable along said carrier member and movable into and out of engagement with said fixture member when said carrier member is in its position with said cover member generally horizontal, to releasably retain said cover member horizontal, and limit means operatively connected between said slide and carrier members for limiting upward slidemember movement when said carrier member is in its vertical position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 971,493 Crane Sept. 27, 1910 2,010,990 Hoover Aug. 13, 1935 2,147,172 Poole Feb. 14, 1939 2,317,437 Botta Apr. 27, 1943 2,484,535 Stader Oct. 11, 1949 2,940,717 Sheafier June 14, 1960 2,988,232 Koett June 13, 1961 

1. AN ARTICLE OF HOUSEWARE COMPRISING A FIXTURE MEMBER FOR FIRM SECUREMENT TO A SUPPORTING WALL, A CARRIER MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID FIXTURE MEMBER FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, A COVER MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID CARRIER MEMBER FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT THEREWITH BETWEEN A GENERALLY VERTICAL POSITION TOTALLY CONCEALING SAID FIXTURE AND CARRIER MEMBERS AND A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION OUTSTANDING FROM SAID SUPPORTING WALL, RELEASABLE HOLDING MEANS RETAINING SAID CARRIER MEMBER IN POSITION WITH SAID COVER MEMBER GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AND RELEASABLE FOR CARRIER-MEMBER MOVEMENT TO ITS POSITION WITH SAID COVER MEMBER GENERALLY VERTICAL, SUPPORT MEANS INWARD OF SAID COVER MEMBER AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED THERETO FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE SUPPORTING WALL UPON COVER MOVEMENT TO ITS RESPECTIVE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL POSITIONS, WHEREBY SAID SUPPORT MEANS IS ADAPTED TO BE CONCEALED BY SAID COVER MEMBER WHEN THE LATTER IS IN ITS VERTICAL POSITION AND EXPOSED FOR USE WHEN SAID COVER MEMBER IS GENERALLY HORIZONTAL, SAID HOLDING MEANS COMPRISING A SLIDE MEMBER SLIDABLE ALONG SAID CARRIER MEMBER AND MOVABLE INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIXTURE MEMBER WHEN SAID CARRIER MEMBER IS IN ITS POSITION WITH SAID COVER MEMBER GENERALLY HORIZONTAL, TO RELEASABLY RETAIN SAID COVER MEMBER HORIZONTAL AND LIMIT MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID SLIDE MEMBER AND CARRIER MEMBER FOR LIMITING UPWARD SLIDE-MEMBER MOVEMENT WHEN SAID CARRIER MEMBER IS IN ITS VERTICAL POSITION. 